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Las Vegas Mystery #1
Punctured
"Writing with a unique combination of compassion and grit, Rex Kusler brings humor and humanity to a world of dashed dreams and desperate aspirations. With the confidence of a master storyteller, Kusler spins a compelling whodunit, with delightfully deadpan dialogue, and an engaging cast of eccentrics--introspective cops, philosophical tramps, and a retired ace detective, Jim Snow, who, despite weaknesses for poker and pretty faces, still gambles on his fellow man. Mystery readers will want at least a dozen more books about this post-modern recession-era hero." -- Ruth Francisco, author of Good Morning, Darkness.
Product
Jim Snow and his sister Karen have never been very close. In fact, they haven’t seen each other since their mother’s funeral two years ago, despite living just three miles apart. But then Snow gets a panicked phone call from Karen telling him that her estranged husband has been murdered and she is the number-one suspect. Snow agrees to help, seeing as he’s the only family she has left. Plus he is a Las Vegas homicide detective—or at least, he was until he quit the force to become a full-time poker player. But while his crime-fighting skills may be a little rusty, even he has to admit Karen is a likely suspect. She stands to collect on her dead husband’s life insurance, which is quite the coincidence considering she’s been living on her first two husbands’ insurance for years. Snow isn’t sure whether or not his sister is innocent, and there’s only one way to find out. He joins forces with feisty cocktail waitress-turned-cop Alice James and together they set out amidst the glittering lights of Vegas to solve this witty and entertaining whodunit.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2010
175 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Rex Kusler
23 books50 followersRex Kusler was born in Missouri and raised in a small town in Iowa. He spent his most formative years reading Mad Magazine and playing tiddlywinks. His writing began with a newsletter for a beer club he founded in San Jose in 1982. Soon afterward he tried his hand at short stories. After success selling some of them to a few regional magazines he began writing novels. Seven years, four novels, three agents, and a pile of rejection letters later, he gave up--for a while. In 2003 he wrote ANGELA. In 2009 he completed the first novel in his Las Vegas Mystery Series PUNCTURED, based on his experience selling his trailer for cash in an RV storage lot after dark. After success as a self-published e-book, it was re-released in May 2011 by Amazon Publishing. The second in the series is ASHES TO DUST, followed by DESERT DROP, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 29, 2020
What a fun book ... I live just outside of Las Vegas, so it's interesting to read about familiar places that are right in my back yard!
October 1, 2010
Jim Snow and his sister don’t get on, but none of that matters when Karen’s estranged husband is found murdered and all fingers point to her and her lover. Not knowing what or who to believe, ex-detective-turned-poker-player Snow investigates…
A witty, fast-paced mystery with red herrings galore. Vivid characterisations and a strong sense of place combine to add real depth. I really enjoyed Kusler’s clean writing and look forward to reading more from this author.
A witty, fast-paced mystery with red herrings galore. Vivid characterisations and a strong sense of place combine to add real depth. I really enjoyed Kusler’s clean writing and look forward to reading more from this author.
December 30, 2011
Rex Kusler's debut novel in the Las Vegas Mystery series is as quirky as the town it's set in. Characters often seem at loose ends -- perhaps that's why they are in Vegas, or maybe people are just more open about it there. There is a murder, and a mystery, and enough suspense to keep the story moving along, but the real pleasure is precisely in this slice of life in a unique place.
The protagonist, Jim Snow, quits the homicide department to play limited poker for a living and manages well enough until he hits a losing streak. When his sister's estranged husband is killed in an RV park after selling his trailer, Snow has to undertake the investigation because the sister, who has already collected life insurance on two other deceased husbands, is the prime suspect.
Along the way, Snow encounters a bar owner who came to Vegas to play pool but couldn't cut it, a young woman who came there to be a dancer but ended up as an apartment manager, and an enigmatic tramp who is not homeless because he breaks into the RV park and sleeps every night in a parked yacht. Let's face it, you don't find characters like this everywhere.
People are talky, but this seems to be part of the spirit of the place. They are ready to tell Snow and his little team -- Alice James, a furloughed police detective and nascent love interest who becomes a full-time partner in subsequent books of the series, and Willie, that tramp -- their life stories as soon as they introduce themselves. What else do they have? It's like all those aspiring actors and screenwriters waiting table in L.A.
Tracking down the murderer proceeds apace, though Snow is unaccountably obtuse in following up on one clue leading to the identity of the potential killer. There is a twist at the end that will not come as a shocker to mystery readers.
If what you want is nonstop suspense and thrills, this may not be your book. But if you're happy to spend some time in Vegas and immerse yourself in a world of quirky characters, laid-back humor, and a philosophy of life that is vastly tolerant, you will enjoy Punctured.
The protagonist, Jim Snow, quits the homicide department to play limited poker for a living and manages well enough until he hits a losing streak. When his sister's estranged husband is killed in an RV park after selling his trailer, Snow has to undertake the investigation because the sister, who has already collected life insurance on two other deceased husbands, is the prime suspect.
Along the way, Snow encounters a bar owner who came to Vegas to play pool but couldn't cut it, a young woman who came there to be a dancer but ended up as an apartment manager, and an enigmatic tramp who is not homeless because he breaks into the RV park and sleeps every night in a parked yacht. Let's face it, you don't find characters like this everywhere.
People are talky, but this seems to be part of the spirit of the place. They are ready to tell Snow and his little team -- Alice James, a furloughed police detective and nascent love interest who becomes a full-time partner in subsequent books of the series, and Willie, that tramp -- their life stories as soon as they introduce themselves. What else do they have? It's like all those aspiring actors and screenwriters waiting table in L.A.
Tracking down the murderer proceeds apace, though Snow is unaccountably obtuse in following up on one clue leading to the identity of the potential killer. There is a twist at the end that will not come as a shocker to mystery readers.
If what you want is nonstop suspense and thrills, this may not be your book. But if you're happy to spend some time in Vegas and immerse yourself in a world of quirky characters, laid-back humor, and a philosophy of life that is vastly tolerant, you will enjoy Punctured.
July 20, 2010
This was a good, quick read. I got it free for my Kindle so I figured I had little to lose. I was hooked right away. It was simple to follow, not too many characters, and there was a very nice surprise ending that I just didn't see coming!
October 16, 2010
Good and easy to read mystery. Great characters and kept me on my toes to the very end. I like Rex Kuslers writing style and tone throughout the book. I look forward to his next book.
January 15, 2018
Coming from more hard edged detective novels it was a bit hard to get into a rhythm with this book - police procedure seemed pretty lax, witnesses seemed very forthcoming with info, and the investigators seemed happy to put up with the winding back stories that everyone they interviewed volunteered without prompt. I'm not sure if this was intended, or just a tool to fill a word quota, but all in all the book didn't take itself very seriously so i'll give the benefit of the doubt and assume the former.
Punctured is never going to trouble the heavy hitters of the detective novel genre but for an easy and enjoyable read it does a decent enough job.
Punctured is never going to trouble the heavy hitters of the detective novel genre but for an easy and enjoyable read it does a decent enough job.
June 8, 2022
My rating would be 3.5. I had never heard of this author, but needed to read a book that had a title that starts with the letter P for a competition in my book club. This is a well written murder mystery. I really enjoyed the story and will read more especially if the same characters are in the series.
Alice was my favorite character because of my love of strong female women/characters. Alice is a detective in a mainly male profession with two things against her; she is female and black, but she is also kick ass smart and doesn't take any BS from the men she has to work with.
Alice was my favorite character because of my love of strong female women/characters. Alice is a detective in a mainly male profession with two things against her; she is female and black, but she is also kick ass smart and doesn't take any BS from the men she has to work with.
February 17, 2023
This took a bit getting used to and I have to say for two seasoned homicide detectives, boy were they dumb. However, overall, the book had its moments, at times poignant, witty, but very dated and written with a very male slant at times ( eg. A male supervisor telling a female subordinate that maybe she should take the unwanted advances of her male coworker as a good thing because she’s very attractive)😤😤😤😒😒😒😤.. so anywayyyyy the mystery wasn’t bad, there’s just issues to get over
October 28, 2017
Fun read
Thoroughly enjoyable book. Interesting possibilities as to the murder and the end. Some of the things that happened made me laugh out loud, something I rarely do from a book. If you like fast and easy reading, this book is that.
Thoroughly enjoyable book. Interesting possibilities as to the murder and the end. Some of the things that happened made me laugh out loud, something I rarely do from a book. If you like fast and easy reading, this book is that.
September 11, 2020
Something different
An easy read. Interesting characters, especially Willie. I was afraid it would dwell to much on casinos but instead is more people focused. Some good humor throughout and a nice pairing of characters.
Will read book 2 in the series to see how it goes.
An easy read. Interesting characters, especially Willie. I was afraid it would dwell to much on casinos but instead is more people focused. Some good humor throughout and a nice pairing of characters.
Will read book 2 in the series to see how it goes.
December 28, 2016
Good read.
Good book. Very good twists throughout, building up to a grand finale. Can see lots of different future directions from Snow.
Good book. Very good twists throughout, building up to a grand finale. Can see lots of different future directions from Snow.
August 29, 2017
Excellent read with perfect attention to detail
Looks like this is going to be my new go-to series for awhile. Looking forward to starting the next book.
Looks like this is going to be my new go-to series for awhile. Looking forward to starting the next book.
April 7, 2018
Ok
This is not a bad book, nor great. There was a lot of filler and, in some instances, filler that was just thrown in without regard to content. The characters were one dimensional and the story does not flow well.
This is not a bad book, nor great. There was a lot of filler and, in some instances, filler that was just thrown in without regard to content. The characters were one dimensional and the story does not flow well.
May 2, 2018
This is a fun cozy read before our Vegas trip. It was quick and I did not guess the killer. I will read the next one in the series.
August 14, 2018
I liked it👍
I had no idea if would be a cute and whimsical who done it. Great characters that worked well together. Would make a good series.
I had no idea if would be a cute and whimsical who done it. Great characters that worked well together. Would make a good series.
August 23, 2018
First
This is my first book written by Rex Kusler. So far good. Great storyline and the characters are growing on me also. Thanks
This is my first book written by Rex Kusler. So far good. Great storyline and the characters are growing on me also. Thanks
August 28, 2018
Puctured
Good story. Interesting characters. Alice was my favorite. Her sense of humor made me laugh. Good little mystery that kept me reading.
Good story. Interesting characters. Alice was my favorite. Her sense of humor made me laugh. Good little mystery that kept me reading.
November 21, 2018
3.5 Stars
May 10, 2020
Good quick read
This was a good quick read. Characters were well thought out. Book 2 will definitely be a good next read.
This was a good quick read. Characters were well thought out. Book 2 will definitely be a good next read.
June 26, 2011
Jim Snow, a former homocide detective for the Las Vegas Police Department, embarks on a mission to clear his sister of murdering her husband. A simple plot for a mystery, but one that intrigued me, especially with Las Vegas as a setting. While the setting is removed far from the tourist activity on the Strip, the locale is interesting since Las Vegas is sitting in the middle of a desert. Rex Kusler didn't allow the setting to be the primary focus in his mystery, though, and instead focuses on the characters. He created a very likable guy in Jim Snow. He is like an everyday person, someone who you would pass on the street. The other characters are a bit odd and not as strong as Snow: his sister Karen acts strange throughout the story, then there is the neighbor, the tramp who Snow pays to be an assist with his unofficial investigation, and Alice, a current homocide detective who decides to lend a hand to Snow. The characterization was lacking in this book, with all of the characters seeming unsubstantial. There was no depth to any of them (except for Snow), which made the book just kind of float along.
While the book did seem to just float along for me, it was an enjoyable, quick read. It wasn't a thriller or a mystery like the typical ones that we think of (Mary Higgins Clark always comes to mind whenever I think of mystery), but it didn't bore me. I didn't expect the ending to happen the way that it did, which was nice, but there could have been a bit more plot twists to keep the reader guessing. However, it was nice to read a mystery book that wasn't a thriller and didn't make me all jumpy (yes, I am wimp and get jumpy whenever I read mystery books). All in all, it was enjoyable, but not something that I will be rereading anytime soon.
While the book did seem to just float along for me, it was an enjoyable, quick read. It wasn't a thriller or a mystery like the typical ones that we think of (Mary Higgins Clark always comes to mind whenever I think of mystery), but it didn't bore me. I didn't expect the ending to happen the way that it did, which was nice, but there could have been a bit more plot twists to keep the reader guessing. However, it was nice to read a mystery book that wasn't a thriller and didn't make me all jumpy (yes, I am wimp and get jumpy whenever I read mystery books). All in all, it was enjoyable, but not something that I will be rereading anytime soon.
Read
December 28, 2017About 5 years ago I participated in a Goodreads.com "self" competition where you read a book (mystery, suspense, or crime genre) based in Each US State. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... I had wanted to read Punctured but could not find in in my Library System. So I put it in my "buy" wish list on a used book site. I finally managed to find it and read it.
Punctured is a good steady mystery where a down-in-out-gamber-ex-detective goes on a hunt to find a killer. If he cannot find the killer, his own sister will likely be put on trial.
Set in Los Vegas, this book only slightly describes the city. Although its bad economic downfall is clearly described in the people Snow meets and questions. I liked the plot's pace, characters and story line. I am pleased to see there are more books to read in this series.
Punctured is a good steady mystery where a down-in-out-gamber-ex-detective goes on a hunt to find a killer. If he cannot find the killer, his own sister will likely be put on trial.
Set in Los Vegas, this book only slightly describes the city. Although its bad economic downfall is clearly described in the people Snow meets and questions. I liked the plot's pace, characters and story line. I am pleased to see there are more books to read in this series.
June 9, 2011
Setting: Las Vegas. An engaging story featuring a former homicide detective and current professional Gambler (Jim Snow), Snow's older sister (Karen) a new menopausal victim, her next door neighbor and sometimes lover (Steve) and laid off former basketball coach and teacher (Willie, currently a nine year hobo) who Snow hired to help him investigate his brother-in-law, Bob's murder. Jim and Willie were joined by an attractive black Las Vegas Homicide Detective (Alice) while she was on forced vacation pending reassignment after complaining about her chauvinistic and predatory senior partner. Together they sorted through the suspects (Snow's sister and her neighbor Steve being the principal suspects). Colorful background information about Las Vegas, Gamblers, Casinos and the surrounding support terrain off the strip and the people who populate it. An interesting view of the other side of Vegas. Fast paced action told with self-effacing humor and candor. An enjoyable read especially for someone without more that a surface understanding of Las Vegas and the gambling mentality.
March 31, 2011
I read an ARC of this one due out in May. A promising beginning for Kusler. He has a voice that makes for easy reading.
Jim Snow is an ex-homicide cop in Las Vegas making his living as a poker player for the past three years. When he gets a frantic phone call from his sister, he knows something is up. They're not close(he hasn't seen her in two years, since their mother's funeral, even though they live three miles apart).
Her estranged husband has been murdered and she is the prime suspect, the only one according to a cop Snow knew from his days in the department. There's a half million dollar insurance policy still in effect and his sister is already living on money from her first two husbands.
Snow hooks up with a rookie detective, Alice James, to solve the mystery.
I liked this one. That said, I began to suspect the killer midway through the book. I'm sure Kusler will get better with the next entry in the Las Vegas mystery series due out in the fall.
Jim Snow is an ex-homicide cop in Las Vegas making his living as a poker player for the past three years. When he gets a frantic phone call from his sister, he knows something is up. They're not close(he hasn't seen her in two years, since their mother's funeral, even though they live three miles apart).
Her estranged husband has been murdered and she is the prime suspect, the only one according to a cop Snow knew from his days in the department. There's a half million dollar insurance policy still in effect and his sister is already living on money from her first two husbands.
Snow hooks up with a rookie detective, Alice James, to solve the mystery.
I liked this one. That said, I began to suspect the killer midway through the book. I'm sure Kusler will get better with the next entry in the Las Vegas mystery series due out in the fall.
January 1, 2016
Rex Kusler is a new author to me and I am enjoying this series immensely.
Jim Snow an ex-homicide detective (now a semi-failed poker player) is called up by his sister when her estranged husband is found murdered and she is the prime suspect. Maybe because she has already collected the insurance on two other dead husbands.
They are not a close family, despite living in the same town.
Snow manages to capture the imagination of Alice James the homicide cop on the case. Despite Alice's partner being a bit old-school and not wanting to put much energy into this investigation, between them (Alice and Snow) they seem to gel in the investigation.
What is slightly different about this Las Vegas based story is that there is not a lot of glitz and glamour or casino based action, it is based in the ordinary world of the everyday citizen living in Las Vegas, a bit down on their luck, poor job prospects etc. Not everyone is living the high-life.
Jim Snow an ex-homicide detective (now a semi-failed poker player) is called up by his sister when her estranged husband is found murdered and she is the prime suspect. Maybe because she has already collected the insurance on two other dead husbands.
They are not a close family, despite living in the same town.
Snow manages to capture the imagination of Alice James the homicide cop on the case. Despite Alice's partner being a bit old-school and not wanting to put much energy into this investigation, between them (Alice and Snow) they seem to gel in the investigation.
What is slightly different about this Las Vegas based story is that there is not a lot of glitz and glamour or casino based action, it is based in the ordinary world of the everyday citizen living in Las Vegas, a bit down on their luck, poor job prospects etc. Not everyone is living the high-life.
January 26, 2012
Jim Snow, ex-detective and now ex-poker player in Las Vegas receives an hysterical call from his sister. Karen tells him that her ex-husband had been murdered in a storage yard after showing their next door neighbor the motorhome he has for sale.
Jim enlists an ex-cocktail waitress turned cop and a homeless man, whom he has come to respect in the search for his brother-in-laws' murderer.
PUNCTURED is a good first novel and I enjoyed reading it. The ending was a surprise which was nice. The book is well written and fast-paced, however there is very little 'new' in the telling of this detective novel, but if you like these kind of stories, you'll enjoy reading PUNCTURED.
Jim enlists an ex-cocktail waitress turned cop and a homeless man, whom he has come to respect in the search for his brother-in-laws' murderer.
PUNCTURED is a good first novel and I enjoyed reading it. The ending was a surprise which was nice. The book is well written and fast-paced, however there is very little 'new' in the telling of this detective novel, but if you like these kind of stories, you'll enjoy reading PUNCTURED.
June 22, 2012
It looks like your sister killer her husband. Everybody thinks so, including the cops, and if you're honest, you do, too. But she is your sister, and you want to do what you can, even if it means you alienate her in the process.
That's the basic idea behind Punctured. It's a fun little mystery introducing readers to Jim Snow and Alice James. I look forward to more reading adventures of these two. Fortunately, I have two more books in this series to read.
My only real complaint with the book is the "product placement" descriptions. It didn't happen often, but it it was enough to stand out to me and be annoying (to me).
That's the basic idea behind Punctured. It's a fun little mystery introducing readers to Jim Snow and Alice James. I look forward to more reading adventures of these two. Fortunately, I have two more books in this series to read.
My only real complaint with the book is the "product placement" descriptions. It didn't happen often, but it it was enough to stand out to me and be annoying (to me).
Read
August 4, 2012James & James. Jim, a former police officer, is called by his sister to help her. Her husband has been murdered in a trailer park, selling his trailer for $8,000., and she is a suspect. The two police officers who are assigned to the case - a man and a woman named Alice James - check everyone out and think it is either Jim's sister or her next door neighbor, with whom she was having an affair. It turns out it was a tramp living in a boat stored in the RV park. The tramp, a former high school teacher, who hit hard times, actually helps James & James with the case until they discover he is the murderer.
Book 1
Book 1
September 1, 2010
A very fast read. I liked the interaction between characters, and the 'style' of the main guy. Interesting to hear a local perspective of Las Vegas. Not so glitzy... I know, it's fiction, but it's gotta be based on something realm right?
Pretty good twists, like you hope to see in a detective novel. Plenty of red herrings and discovery/speculation along the way. The story interacts with the reader, the way a mystery should.
I will read the sequel(s)
Pretty good twists, like you hope to see in a detective novel. Plenty of red herrings and discovery/speculation along the way. The story interacts with the reader, the way a mystery should.
I will read the sequel(s)
July 5, 2012
Very impressed by this short but entertaining who-dunnit detective story, set in Las Vegas. Jim Snow is an ex-detective who now tries to make a living as a full-time poker player. When his brother-in-law is murdered, all evidence points to his sister. Snow embarks on his on investigation that includes a colorful cast of characters. This one had me guessing up to the end. I've already downloaded the second in this series to my kindle.
March 28, 2014
This is an entertaining mystery with a sense of humor. Former police detective turned poker player, Jim Snow is called by his sister when her estranged husband is murdered. She wants him to find out who did it, because she's a top suspect in the eyes of the police. And she looks good for the murder even to Snow. It all takes place in Vegas with lots of savory and unsavory characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews